Feeding mechanism for wrapping-machines.



.PATENTED MAR. s, 1908.

A. M. PRICE.

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 11, 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED MAE. 3, 1908.

A M. PRICE. I FEEDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-l1, 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED MAR. s, 1908.

A. M. PRICE. FEEDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES.

APPLIGATION FILED FEB. 11, 1907.

L SHEETS-SHEET 3.

dyieff 77a, 35

hwaoe:

No. 881,084. IATENTE'D MAR. 3, 1908.

8 A. M. PRICE. FEEDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES.

APPLIOATIQN FILED FEB.11, 1907.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

, (/f/brl 777, 9 /666 QXihle-obeo I i v f /Z I t/faam @v gg 8 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT M. PRICE, OF ELSIN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGFOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, .TOADOLPH E. BRION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 3, mos.

Original application filed September 13, 1905, Serial N 0. 278,338.Divided and this application filed February 11, 1907.

Serial N0. 356,807.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, ALBERT M. PRICE, acitizen of the United States, residing at Elgin, in the county of Kaneand State of Illi- 5' nois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Feeding Mechanism for Wrappin -Machines, of which-thefollowing is a specii cation.

An ap lication for United States Letters Patent, erial Number 278,338,filed by me September 13, 1905 has for its subject matter a machine forwrappin sticks of chewing gum and like articles uniform'rsize, saidmachine comprising among other mechanism, a magazine to receive theblocks, sticks or other articles to be wrapped, means for transferringsaid articles to a feeder wheel, a magazinefor holding a quantity ofwrappers previously out to the proper size, and means for feeding theouter one of these wrappers to the proper positions to envelop thearticlessingly as they are delivered from the feeder wheel to areceiving wheel. This ast named wrapper-feeding mechanism 5 forms thesubject-matter of the present application which is a division of saidapplication #278,338.

In the description of this invention while the article to be wrapped isdesignated a piece of gum it will be readily understood that thisarticle is merely used for the purpose of illustration and that anyarticle of suitable form and size may be used in the machine if desired.

s In the accom anying drawings in which I have illustrate only suchportion of the complete machine as is necessary to a properunderstanding of the present invention, Figure 1, is a view in sideelevation of that part of the machine embodying the feeding mechanism,Fig. 2, is a View in side elevation showing substantially the sameparts, Fig. 3,

is an enlarged detail view of the feeding mechanism, partly sectionaland partly in side elevation, Fig. 4, is a detail view of a part of thelabel feed controller, Fig. 5, is a partial sectional view of the paperfeed controller-pawl, Fig. 6, is an enlarged sectional view of part ofthe feeding wheel and part of l the mechanism for feeding the wrappersthereto, Fig. 7, is a detail view inside elevation of the needle shownin Fig. 6. a section ,taken on the plane of the line 88 in Fig. 3. Fig.9, is a partial section on the Fig. 8, is

plane of the line 99 in Fig. .4: Fig. 10, is an elevation of the rollsfor holding the wrappers on the feeding wheel. Fig. 11 is a detail inrear elevation, of parts of the driving mechanism.

The mechanism forming the subject of the present invention is arrangedat the lower rear end of the machine and is adapted to hold a number of.wrappers which have been previously cut to the size desired to be, usedin the wrapping and deliver them one at a time to the receiving-Wheel.This mechanism comprises a magazine 77 having a bottom channel 78,formed therein," in which is mounted a screw-threaded shaft 79,journaled at its forward end in the journal bearing 80, and near itsrear end in the journal bearing 81 and u on the rear end of which ismounted a suita le bevel-pinionv 82, and a crank-arm 83. This shaftengages in a thread cut in the lower portion 84 of a follower 85, andserves to advance the latter to move the mass of wra ers into engagementwith frictional feed-rol ers 86 (Fig. 6) which are mounted upon a shaft87, carried in journal bearin s 88 and 89, (Fig. 8) formed upon the endsof a yoke 90. The yoke is rovidech with two arms 90 formed integra witha sleeve 91, which is mounted upon a stud 92, which is in turn suitablysecured to the frame 1, by a nut 93. The forward end of the magazine ismounted by means of the downwardly projecting portions 94 upon the ho1;,

low sleeve 91 of the yoke 90 and is held in such position by caps 95.The yoke 90 is mounted so that it can turn-freely on the stud 92 andwithin its bearings formed in the projections 94 of the wrappermagazine. A rearwardly extending arm 96 is rigidly mounted upon thesleeve 91 of the yoke and is adapted to engage a lug 97 mounted on thebottom of the magazine (Figs. 1 and 3). A pin extends from the arm 96through the lug 97, and is providedon its underside with a coiled spring99, and a thumb-nut 100 for adjusting the tension of the spring. By thismeans, the rollers 86 aremaintained in engagement with the paper withsuflicient.pressure to cause them to pull the wrappers off, one at atime, from the front of the mass of paper as the rollers revolve. Theshaft 87 is drlven by a shaft 101 through the medium of of a shaft 102,having at each end thereof a universal coupling. The shaft 101 hasmounted thereon apinion 103, (Figs. 2 and 11) which meshes with a gear104:, mounted on a shaft 105, on the other end of which is mounted a ear106, meshing with the gear 72. The ro lers 86 have their surfaces composed partly of rubber or other material and partly of a smoothnon-adhesive material (Figs. 3 and 6) and their circumferences are sopro ortioned to the length ofthe wrapper that t e rear end of thewrapper will,as itis removed, come in contact with the non-adhesiveportion only. By this construction, the next-sheet will not be startedas soon asthe preceding sheet is removed,xbut only when the rubber orfrictional surface comes in contact with it. It is a well known factthat when an effort is made to remove the first of a plurality of sheetsof paper by frictional means bearing against the surface of the firstsheet, two or more sheets will, in all probability, be removed, unlesssome means is holding all but the first sheet.

In my present invention I provide such means in the form of a needle107, which is mounted at the forward end of the magazine 77, and againstwhich the sheets of paper or wrappers are forced by the follower 85.This needle is of sufficient length to extend through a number of thesheets and puncture them a slight distance from the lowered e. While thefriction of'the roller against t e first sheet is sufficient not only toovercome the resistance of the friction between the first and secondsheets, but also to tear out the small portion necessary to release thesheet from the needle, the friction between the first and. second sheetwould not be sufiicient to overcome the friction between the second andthird sheets and also to tear'the second sheet from the needle. This isdue to the fact that the frictions pull o'f',the rubber against paper isgicaier than that of paper against paper. itlhas been found, however,that if astationary needle is used, thepoint of the needle as it isforced through one sheet into the next tends to draw the fine vegetablefibers of which the paper iscomposed, into the perforation which isbeing made in the second sheet. These fibers are apparently carried bythe point of the needlefrom one sheet to the next until the needlebecomes clogged and is prevented from fulfilling its function. In thisdevice however the needle is mounted upon a small rotating shaft 108,(Figs. {S and 7) supported in a journal 109 and provided with abevel-gear 110, (Figs. 6 8, and 11) which is .a'dapted to mesh with abeveled gear 111 mounted upon the end of a shaft 112, connected with anddriven by the shaft 105, through the medium of a driving rod- 113, (Fi11), and the universal couplihgs 114 and 115, one at each 11(l, r0- therod 113. By this means the needle is retatedru'lhis causes its pointconstantly to provided for.

and thereby advance the follower 85, the

following mechanism is provided. A rod I 116 (see Figs. 3 and 4) isprovided at one end with a collar 117, mounted upon an eccentric 118,carried by a shaft 47. Theopposite end of the rod 116 is slotted, as at119, whereby it will fitover a shaft 120, of a bevel-gear 121 and besupported thereb The end of this rod 116 is provided with an upwardlyextending proj ection 122, on which is pivotally mo unte a pawl 123(shown more particularly in Fig. 5) adapted to engage the teeth on anotched wheel 124, on the shaft 120. As the rod 116 is reciprocated bythe eccentric 118, it reciprocates the pawl, and as the pawlmovesforward, it rotates the notched wheel 124 and therewith the bevelgear121, which, in turn, rotates the bevelgear 82 and the screw-threadedshaft 79.

As the sheets of paper constituting the outer wrappers vary inthickness, it is impossible to arrange the itch of the screwthread onthe shaft, so t at it will feed the follower 85 forward exactly thethickness of one sheet of paper for every reciprocation of the rod 116.It is not even possible to get this mechanism to average correctly forany given length of time, as different lots of paper will average adifferent thickness to the a sheet. For this reason the pitch of thescrew on the shaft 79 is made approximately twice as great as would benecessary were it actuated by each reciprocation of the rod 116, and thefollowing regulating mechanism is provided. A rod 125 is connected tothe yo e 90 byan arm 126 (Fig. 8) and at its opposite end is providedwith a slot 127 (Fig. 4) which engages over a circular projection 128,mounted upon the pawl 123. A hole 130 .in the pawl123 (Fig. 5) is madeoblong to enable it to have a slight reciprocating motion on a screw129, on which the pawl is pivoted. A coiled spring is mounted in thehole .130, and held in position b screw 131, so that normally the pawlis he d rearwardly against the screw 129. When the mass of wrappers iscarried forward by the,

follower 85, it bears against the rollers 86 and as the pressureincreases, the rollers 86, together with the yoke 90, are pressedforward in opposition to the tension of the spring 99. The yoke 90carries forward the rod 125 and when this rod is drawn forward to suchan extent that it intercepts the back ward motion of the pawl 12 at therear end of the stroke of the rod 116, the pawl 123 will fail to enga ethe next consecutive tooth of the whee -=1%24,-asshown in Fig. 4.'

former application.

ssnosa By this arrangement the rotation of the toothed wheel, 124 isintermittent and only occurs when the tension of the paper becomesslightly less than desired, and it becomes necessary to move thefollower 85 forward slightly.

At; 132 is shown the continuously rotating receiving-wheel which ismounted upon the shaft l33 driven bythe gear 72. The construction of andmode of operation of this re ceiving-wheel are more fully described inmy As the wrappers leave the feed-rollers 86, it is necessary that somemeans he provided to guide and hold the same upon the receiving-wheel132, until the gum is delivered thereto. Mounted upon the outer end ofthe stud 92, upon which is carried the yoke 90, is an arm 134 (Fig. 1)which carries a. frame 135, within which are supported suitableresilient rollers 136 each adapted to bear against the periphery of thereceiving wheel 132, and hold the paper wrappers thereon. The frame 135comprises a pair of sides 137 and 138 (Figs. 6 and 10) having backwardlyextending tail-pieces 139 at their lower ends and between which aremounted rollers 136. These rollers bear upon the periphery of thereceiving Wheel 132, and as each paper wrapper is carried 1 p by thefeed-rollers 86 the upper edge thereof is guided by the tail-pieces 139and the aper passes under the rollers 136 and is he (1 by them upon theperiphery of the receivingwhcel.

What I, claim as new is 1. In a paper feed, the combination withfrictional means for removing the first of a plurality of sheets ofpaper, of an intermittently operated mechanism for, pressing said sheetsagainst said frictional means, means connected with said frictionalmeans for stopping the mechanism when the pressure of the paper againstsaid frictional means exceeds a predetermined pressure and for start ingthe mechanism when the pressure falls below a predetermined pressure,and a rotating needle adapted to penetrate the first two or more of thesheets near the edge thereof to prevent the removal of more than onesheet at a time.

In a paper feed, the combination with means for removing the first of aplurality of sheets of paper, of a rotating needle adapted to penetratethe first two or more sheets at a point near their edge to prevent theremoval of more than one sheet at a time.

3. In a paper feed, the combination with means for I'B'lOVlllg the firstof a plurality of sheets of paper, of a rotating boring needle adaptedto penetrate the first two or more sheets near their edge to prevent theremoval of more than one sheet at a time.

1 4. In a paper feed, the combination with means for removing the firstof a plurality of sheets of 'paper, of a rotating needlelhaving thepoint thereof screw threaded, adapted to penetrate the first two or moresheets near the edge thereof to prevent the removal of mm than one sheetat a time.

5. In a paper feed, the combination with frictional means for removingthe first of a plurality of sheetsof paper, of a rotating needle adaptedto penetrate two or more of said sheets" near their edge to prevent theremoval of more than one sheet at a time.

6. In a paper feed, the combination with frictional means for removingthe first of africtional means for removing the first of a plurality ofsheets of paper, of'a needle .con'

tinuously rotating in one direction adapted to penetrate two or more ofthe sheets near their edge to prevent the removal of more than one sheetat a time.

8. In a paper feed, the combination with frictional means for removingthe first of a plurality of sheets of paper, of a rotating needle topenetrate two or more of the sheets near their edge to prevent theremoval of more than one sheet at a time and-having the point thereofroughened to aid the same in penetrating the sheets.

9. In a paper feed, the combination with frictional means for removingthe first of a plurality of sheets of paper, of a needle for penetratingthe first two or more sheets near their edge to prevent more than onesheet from being removed at a time, having a screw-threaded pointrotating continuously in one direction.

10. In a paper feed, the combination with a frictional roller forremoving the first ofa plurality of sheets of paper, of anintermittently operated mechanism for pressing the sheets against saidroller, means connected with said roller for stopping the mechanism whenthepressure of the paper against said roller exceeds a predeterminedpressure, and for starting said mechanism when the pressure falls belowa predetermined pressure and a rotating needle adapted to penetrate thefirst two or more of the sheets near the edge thereof to prevent theremoval of more than one sheet at a time. r

11. In a paper feed, the combination with a frictional roller forremoving the first of a plurality of sheets of paper, of a rotatingneedle adapted to penetrate two 'or more of said sheets near their edgeto prevent the reremoval of more than one sheet ata time.

12. In a paper feed, the combination with i a frictional roller forremoving the first of aplurality of sheets of papenof a needle rotatingin one direction adapted. to penetrate the first two or more sheets nearthe edge thereof to prevent the removal of more than one sheet atlfatime.

13. In a paper feed, the combination with a frictional roller forremoving the first of a plu- 5 rality of sheets of paper, of a needlecontinuously rotating in one direction adapted to penetrate two or moreof the sheets near their edge to prevent the removal of more than onesheet at a time. v

1 14. In a paper feed, the combination with a frictional roller forremoving the first of a plurality of sheets of paper, of a rotatingneedle, adapted to penetrate two or more of the sheets near their edgeto prevent the removal of more than one sheet at a time, and

I having the point thereof roughened to aid the same in penetrating thesheets.

15. In a paper feed, the combination with a frictional rollerforremoving the first of a n 2 0' plurality" of sheets of paper, of aneedle for penetrating the first two or more sheets near their edge toprevent more than one sheet from being removed at a time, having ascrewthreaded oint and adapted to rotate continuously 1n one direction.

16. In a paper feed, the combination with frictional means for removingthe first of a plurality of sheets of paper, of a rotating needle forpenetrating the first two or more sheets to prevent the removal of morethan one sheet at a time, having its pointconstructed to enable it tobore into said sheets.

17. In a paper feed, the combination with frictional means for removingone sheet at a time'from a plurality of sheets of pa er, aspring-tension means for holding sai fric tional means against thepaper, a feeding mechanism for pressing sald sheets against thefrictional means in opposition to said 40 spring-tension means, meansconnected. with said frictional means for retarding the feedingmechanism when the pressure of the sheets against the frictional meansforces the same beyond its normal position, and a rotating needleadapted to penetrate two or more of the sheets near the edge thereof toprevent the removal of more than one sheet at a time.

18. In a pa er feed, the combination with a frictional rol fer forremoving one sheet at a time from a pluralityof sheets of paper, of aspring-tension means for holding said roller against the (paper, afeeding mechanism for pressing sai s eets against the roller inopposition to said spring tension, means connected with said roller forretarding the feed mechanism when the pressure of the sheets against theroller forces the same beyond its normal position, and a rotating needleadap ted to penetrate the first two or more sheets near one edge thereofto prevent the removal of more than one sheet at a time.

19. In a paper feed, the combination with a continuously rotatingfrictional rollei for removing one sheet at a time from a plurality ofsheets of paper, of a spring-- tension means a frictional r0 ler, forremoving one sheet at a time from a plurality of sheets of paper, hav- 1ing a longitudinal portion of the surface thereof composed ofnon-frictional substance to provide a definite time during its rotationfor the starting of each sheet, ofa rotating needle adapted to penetratethe first two or more sheets near their edge to prevent the removal ofmore than one sheet at a time. I 21. In a paper feed, the combination ofa frame, a shaft mounted thereon, a yoke secured to the shaft, arotating frictional roller journaled in the ends of the yoke arms, a

spring-pressed arm secured to the shaft at substantially a right angleto the yoke to press the roller against a plurality of sheets of paper,feeding mechanism for pressing the paper toward the roller in oppositionto the spring pressure, and a rotating needle for penetrating two ormore sheets of paper to prevent the removal of more than one sheet ofpaper at a time.

22. In a paper feed, the combination of a frame, a feed screw journaledtherein, rotating meansfor saidscrew, a follower threaded on the feedscrew to actuate a pack of sheets of paper, a spring-pressed rotatingfriction roller mounted to press upon the pack of sheets of paper inopposition to the feed movement of the follower, means for varying thespeed of rotation of the feed screw dependent upon the thickness of thepack of sheets, and a rotating needle arranged to penetrate two or moresheets of the paper to prevent the removal of more thanone sheet. at atime. 1

23. In a paper feed, the combination of a frame, a frictional rollermounted therein 5 and spring-pressed toward a pack of sheets of paper,feeding mechanism for pressing the pack of sheets toward the rol er,ratchet mechanism for actuating the feeding'mechanism, a rod connectingthe ratchet mechanism with the frictional roller whereby the ratchetmechanism is temporarily rendered inoperative when the pack of sheets isab. normally thick, and a rotating needle for penetrating the first twoor more sheets of 5 the pack to prevent the removal of more than onesheet at a time. s

24. In a paper f ed, the combination of a frame, a shaft mountedthereon, a yoke secured to the shaft, a rotary frictional rollerjournaled in the ends of the yoke arms, a pack of sheets is too. thick,and a rotating spring-pressed arm secured to the shaft at needle forpenetrating the first two or more substantially a right angle to the,yoke to sheets of the pack to prevent the removal of press the rolleragainst a plurality of sheets more than one sheet at a time. a

5 of pa er, a feed screw journaled in the frame, In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature 15 a tol ower threaded on' the feed screw to inpresence of two witnesses. K press a pack of sheets toward the roller,ALBERT M. PRICE. means for rotating the feed screw, connectionWitnesses: p l with the roller which render such rotating j KATHRYNLonnnznn,

0 means temporarily inoperative when the LAWRENCE P. OONOVER-W

